JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Emre Orun, a Jacksonville-area personal trainer and self-defense instructor, spoke on JMN In Depth about his career in martial arts, teaching children and adults how to protect themselves, and why being aware of your surroundings can sometimes prevent a physical confrontation altogether.

Self-defense is also a mental skill

Orun has nearly 20 years of experience in martial arts and self-defense. He said his training focuses not only on fighting techniques, but also on helping people understand when and when not to use them.

“There are steps to take before you get the physical side of it,” Orun said.

He said people should first consider where they are, who they are with and what kind of situation they are facing.

“It’s all about situational awareness,” he said. “You can prevent a physical fight from happening.”

That approach is also part of how he trains children. Orun said kids need to understand why they are learning to punch or kick and that those skills should only be used when necessary.

He currently works with children, teenagers and adults and said he generally begins training children around age 8. His own daughter recently turned 7 and is now beginning more regular training with him.

From professional fighter to coach

Orun’s interest in martial arts started with his father, a former taekwondo competitor. He later began boxing and kickboxing while in college and eventually moved into competitive fighting.

After years in the sport, becoming a father changed the way he looked at the risks that came with competing.

Orun said he was still physically capable of fighting, but started thinking more about what could happen if he suffered a serious injury.

“One wrong punch or, let’s say, lucky punch can cost you your life,” he said.

He decided his final professional fight would also be his retirement fight. That part of his life became the subject of his documentary, Orun The Final Fight: A Fighter Documentary, which is available on Amazon Prime.

He has continued working in martial arts through coaching while also combining self-defense with personal fitness training.

Orun said clients do not need to already be in shape or have any interest in becoming fighters. He works with people with different fitness levels and goals, sometimes bringing in dietitians or other professionals when a client needs additional guidance.

Fighting and filmmaking in Jacksonville

Martial arts are not Orun’s only focus.

He has also produced five films and is working toward a sixth, which he plans to make as a feature-length movie. Orun said the script is nearly finished, but funding, budgeting and building the right team are still major steps before production can begin.

He hopes to shoot much of the project in Jacksonville and eventually hold a local casting call.

Orun also pointed to Northeast Florida’s growing martial arts community. His own final fight took place at a Combat Night event at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center in Jacksonville.

For now, his focus remains on training people to stay healthy, protect themselves and pay attention to what is happening around them.

“Stay in good shape and be aware of your surroundings,” Orun said.

More information about Orun’s personal training and self-defense programs is available through CoachEmreOrun.com.

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